It’s an early morning start today for your Air Vanuatu flight to the island of Tanna. After an included local lunch, head to one of the world's largest banyan trees, perched high on a ridge overlooking the coast. You have the option to loop back towards the coast on foot, through scattered villages, gardens and rainforests – a great opportunity to meet some of the local people going about their daily lives. Next is a scenic drive across the spine of the island to your bungalow accommodation, located at the foot of the active volcano. This afternoon, drive along a rutted road to the rim of the volcano (the option to walk to the crater carpark is also available for those who would prefer it). You'll feel the ground shaking and hear the volcano rumbling as you approach. Finally, as you arrive at the crater rim in time for sunset, you'll witness the incredible show of Strombolian eruptions that await as it gets dark. Return from the volcano for a late dinner at your bungalow. Intrepid’s itineraries are designed to utilise scheduled flights between Port Vila and Tanna. On occasion, these inter-island flights may be cancelled at late notice due to weather or aircraft maintenance. Your leader will provide you with information and updates should this occur. In this event, weather permitting, we may need to book a charter flight to continue the itinerary. We use Unity Airlines, a local charter company, for these flights. This additional expense will need to be paid by each traveller locally, with the cost dependent on the number of travellers in the group and seats sold on the charter. Please ensure you have access to funds for this or any other unforeseen circumstances during your time in Vanuatu. The flight to and from Tanna has a 10 kg check-in bag restriction, plus a 5 kg carry-on bag. You can leave your larger luggage at the Port Vila hotel and pack a smaller bag for the two nights on Tanna. An airport tax of 200 VUV per person will be payable in cash at the airport today and will be collected by your leader. Your driving time today will be approximately 1.5 hours. Roads on Tanna are not paved and deteriorate each year after rain and landslides. Our 4WD vehicles are up for the task, but be prepared for a very bumpy ride as your drivers navigate the roads. While you will see other tourists and locals riding in the back tray of vehicles on Tanna, as per our safety regulations, all Tuuur travellers must be seated inside vehicles during our time on the island. Your optional hike from the banyan tree through the villages will be approximately 1 hour. The hike from the volcano base to the crater rim will take approximately 1.5 hours and is uphill all the way. For those who don't wish to hike to the volcano rim, there is the option of taking transport to the crater, however even then a 20-minute walk from the crater car park to the rim is required. Please note that the volcano visit is subject to the alert level issued by the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazard authority. Face masks and protective glasses will be provided for the volcano activity viewing today to protect you from the ash. Please follow all safety instructions given by your leader, including where to stand when viewing and taking photos of the volcano. You may see other visitors going beyond the first lookout and approaching the crater’s edge – this is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted. As we will make our descent after dark, ensure that you bring a suitable torch or head lamp with you. Your simple bungalow accommodation tonight has shared bathroom and toilet facilities, with cold water only and intermittent electricity. As we are staying in a local community, consumption of alcohol is discouraged. Drinking water is provided, but other drinks will need to be purchased in advance.
info Special information
Intrepid’s itineraries are designed to utilise scheduled flights between Port Vila and Tanna. On occasion, these inter-island flights may be cancelled at late notice due to weather or aircraft maintenance. Your leader will provide you with information and updates should this occur. In this event, weather permitting, we may need to book a charter flight to continue the itinerary. We use Unity Airlines, a local charter company, for these flights. This additional expense will need to be paid by each traveller locally, with the cost dependent on the number of travellers in the group and seats sold on the charter. Please ensure you have access to funds for this or any other unforeseen circumstances during your time in Vanuatu.
The flight to and from Tanna has a 10 kg check-in bag restriction, plus a 5 kg carry-on bag. You can leave your larger luggage at the Port Vila hotel and pack a smaller bag for the two nights on Tanna.
An airport tax of 200 VUV per person will be payable in cash at the airport today and will be collected by your leader.
Your driving time today will be approximately 1.5 hours. Roads on Tanna are not paved and deteriorate each year after rain and landslides. Our 4WD vehicles are up for the task, but be prepared for a very bumpy ride as your drivers navigate the roads.
While you will see other tourists and locals riding in the back tray of vehicles on Tanna, as per our safety regulations, all Tuuur travellers must be seated inside vehicles during our time on the island.
Your optional hike from the banyan tree through the villages will be approximately 1 hour. The hike from the volcano base to the crater rim will take approximately 1.5 hours and is uphill all the way. For those who don't wish to hike to the volcano rim, there is the option of taking transport to the crater, however even then a 20-minute walk from the crater car park to the rim is required.
Please note that the volcano visit is subject to the alert level issued by the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazard authority. Face masks and protective glasses will be provided for the volcano activity viewing today to protect you from the ash. Please follow all safety instructions given by your leader, including where to stand when viewing and taking photos of the volcano. You may see other visitors going beyond the first lookout and approaching the crater’s edge – this is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted. As we will make our descent after dark, ensure that you bring a suitable torch or head lamp with you.
Your simple bungalow accommodation tonight has shared bathroom and toilet facilities, with cold water only and intermittent electricity. As we are staying in a local community, consumption of alcohol is discouraged. Drinking water is provided, but other drinks will need to be purchased in advance.